Pocket-billiard rack and operating mechanism therefor.



G. G. KITZEMAN. POCKET B-ILLIARD RACK AND oPERATrNG MECHANISM HEREFoR.

APPLICATlQN FILED OCT. I8 1916,.

l3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.'

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

m MM. @n 4 NQ huw. m am n NQ QM, E MQ Www G. G. KITZEMAN.

POCKET BILLARD RACK AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR., APPLlcATiON FILED ocT.18.191e. 1,246,436.

G. G. KITZEMA'N. PocKETBlLLlARD RAK AND OPERATING MECHANISM'THEREFOR.

APPLICATiON FILED OCT. I8. 1916.-

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIoE. I*

GEORGE G. KITZEMAN', oFfnEs- MomEsfIowA.'

POCKET-BILLIARD RACK ND"OERATING-MECHANISM THEREFOR.

To all whom t may concemk Be it knownthat I, GEORGE Gc. KITZEMAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Des Moines, in the county Of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented acertain new and useful Pocket-Billiard Rack `and Operating Mechanism Therefor, of which the following is a specification. i i

The object of my invention is to provide a pocket billiard rack and operatingmechanism therefor for use on pocket billiard tables, to be used in connection with other mechanism which may bey coin operated or not, as desired, for measuring, recording and indicating the games played on the table.

Still a further object is to provide such mechanism having means .for holding the rack in its collapsed position. l, v j

Still a lfurther. object is to provide in such a device a variety of cushioning meansfor takingthe shocks of the movements of the parts in swinging the rack from its inoperative to its operative position.

A further object is to provide a device of this kind having an extensible arm or triangle supporting mechanism, with yielding devices for Vnormally holding said arm in collapsed position when the rack or triangle is moved from operative position to inoperative position off the table.

Still a further Objectis to provide such a device adapted to be used with a' coin or otherwise controlled mechanism for numbering and recording gamesandplayersfsuch as that disclosed in my Patent `Number 1,114,148, issued OctoberQO, 1914. i

It is also my object to provide aV deviceincludinga suitable spring mechanism adapted to swing the rack from inoperative to operative position when properly released by the coin or otherwise actuated in Fig. 1.

vSpecication of Letters Patent. Patented iNov,k 13, 1917, Application led October 18, 1916. Serial No. 126,447; i l

mechanism for numbering and recording games. f

,In this connection I may mention "that this application is'vmade in part to cover matter whichI was required to divide out of 4the application on my said former patent.

My invention consists inthe construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying'drawings, in which: j

Figure `1 shows a vertical, sectional f view through a portion of a-billiard table with my improved pocket billiard rack Vand operatingV .mechanism therefor mounted thereon.

Fig. -2 shows a vertical, Central sectional view, of ypart ofL the operating mechanism shownin Fig.vr 1Q i y Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a central portion ofthe billiard table showing the billiard inoperative position. i f

i Fig." 4shows a side elevation of a portion of a table, the rack Operating mechanism andrack being shown in the position shown ball rack and operating .mechanismin their Fig. 5` shows a vertical, sectional view of a portion of the table, thev rack and operating mechanism being shown in their posiytion'midway between Operativeand inoperative position, part of the rack operating mechanism being shown in section, illustrating the operation of the parts, and'.

Fig. 6 shows a. side elevation'of a yportion of a table with the rack mechanism in raised positionl just :before the collapsing of the rack.

In the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicatev generally a rail of a billiard table 11.

- Mounted on the end of the billiard table 11 is a bOX or casing 1:2 having a coin-or other actuated device for numbering and re cording games,wwhich may be like that described in my former patent, hereinbefore i referred to.

Rotatably mounted inthe walls of the casing 12, parallel with'the side Orthe end of the billiard table 11 is a shaft 13. Fixed to the. shaft 13 is a powerfulcoil spring 14, one end of which is iiXed to the casin 12.Y `The spring14-normally holds the sha t 13 yieldingly in position for holding vthe 110 triangle or rack, hereinafter described, above the table 11. l l

On the shaft 13 withinthe casing 12 is a collar 15 from whichV extends an arm 16 adapted to coact withthe spring Vcatch 17,-

parts shown in -my prior similar to the patent. v g e- It will, of course, be understood that other means for connecting the shaft 13 with the mechanism for numbering and recordingthe games may be employed.

Secured to the billiard table adjacent to what be calledA the outer en'dof the shaft 13 .is an angle iron bracket18, having an upwardly extendingr flange 19. f

Resting adjacent to the flange 19 is a plate 20, adjustably mounted on saidV flange 19 by means of screws 21 screwed into the'flange 19 and extended Athrou,f ;h yertically, elon-` gated vslots 22 inthe plate 20.

On the upper portion of the plate is va bearing 23 in whichthe shaft 13 is rotatably mounted.

` Th bearing 23has at its 'upper portion on its ends Shoulders 24.` Y

` Fixed on the shaft 13 at the opposite ends of' the bearing 23 are arms 25, which extend away `from rthe shaft and convergetoward each other and are connected at their outer ends by a plate 26. The arms125 have shoul ders 27, shown in FigQS, adapted to engage the shoulders 2,4 when the arms 25 move to their upwardly extending position.

The plate 26 forms the hinged member having spaced oppositebearings 28, having apintle`29, shown in Fig. 4. n 4

vMounted on the pintle 29 between the bearings 28 by means of spaced bearings 30 is a coaeting hinged member or plate 31, shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, having central, channel-shaped extensions 32 and 33 for supporting a tube 34 forming part of the telescoping rackl supporting arm.

At the ropposite ends of the extensions 32 and 33 arer'broken rings'35 and 36, having at their ends opposite flanges 37 and 38 adaptedto be grippedtogether by means of bolts 39 and 40 for frictionally gripping the tube 34. Y

In what I shall'call the inner end of the tube 34is mounted a screw plug`41.

Extended into the tube 34 from the other end 'thereof and telescopically slidable in said tube 34 is a second tube`42 forming a part of said telescoping arm.

In the inner end of the tube 32` is a screw plug43. Screwed into the wall of the tube 32 is a screw 44, the edge of which projects into a longitudinally,elongated slot -in the `wall ofthe tube f 4 The ends of the sloty 45 limit the lsliding movement of the tube 32 with relation to the tube-34. j

,Received in the tube34 between the plugs 41 and 43 is an extensible 'coil spring 46. Slidably extendedinto the outer end of the tube 42 is a. slightly smaller tube 47, in the inner end of which isa screw-plug 48. A screw- 49 is screwed into the wall of the tube 47 and has a head extended into the longitudinally elongated slot 50 in the wall of the tube 42. The ends of the slot 50 limit the sliding movement `of the tube 47 with relation to the tube 42.

Received within the tube 42 betweenA the plugs 48 and 434 is an extensible coil spring 5,1.

Slidably 4received inthe outer end of the tube v47` is a similar tube 52, haring in its inner end a screw plug 53. A screw 54 is screwedinto'the wall of' the tube and has a head slidably received ,ina longitudinally elongated slot 55 in the wall of the tube 47. The'ends of Lthe slot 551L limit the sliding movement' of the tube 52.

An extensible coil spring 5G is received in the tube 47 between the plugs and 48. It will be noted that'the screws 44, 49, and 54 prevent rotation ofthe tubes with relation to each other. j

Atthe outer end of the tube 52 is a collapsible triangle or' rackhaving the sides and 56,-hinged together at 57.

The third side 58 of the triangle is made in two parts hingedtogelher at 59, as shown in Fig. 6L rlhe ends of the members of the side58 'are hinged to the sides 56 and at 60 and 61.

Secured to the side of' the tri angle, adjacent tothe hinge 50 is a spring G2, which is also secured to the side 58 and is designed to yieldingly,normally hold the triangle in its extended position. (See Figs. 3 and 6.)

Secured to the side is a laterally, outwardlyextendingarm 63 which is designed to engage ,the si'de'5`8` at the end 'thereof opposite the spring 6,2 for limiting the opening movement of the triangle. Y

lVhen the triangle is collapsed, by folding the side 58 inwardly, and iiolrlingthe side toward the side 56,"as shown by "dotted lines in Fig. 6, thecollapsing movement is'made against the action of the spring 62.

A Mounted on the bolt 4G between the flanges 38 is a short plate (i4-having in its outer end an opening 651 Extended through the opening 65 is a chain 66. I preferably mount on the chain 66 la coil spring 67, so `that part of said spring is on "one -side of' the plate 64 and part on the other side thereof. j

The ends'of' the chain 6G are secured to collars G8 on the shaft 13 on opposite sides of the arms 25.

The chain BGis so arranged that it is slack, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, at all times, excepting when the telescoping, rack supporting arm is arranged horizontally above and inclined' from each the table, and is so arranged that when said arm is in horizontal positionl above the table, as shown in Fig. 1, the chain 'is tight-.and serves to limit the swinging movement of the telescopingA rack supporting arin on its hinge, thereby preventing the` breaking of the hinge formed bythe plates`26 and 31 opposite sides of the tube 34, and prevents said chain 4from catching on the inner end of said tube.

An additional cushioningdevice will now be described.

It will be noted that the arms 25 are fixed to the shaft 13, and that when the shaft is rotated, the entire rackcarrying mechanism rotates around the. center of the .shaft 13 until the arms 25x-each the position shown in Fig. 5, Vwhere they extend upwardly `and slightly outwardly away from the table11.

The telescoping arm,composed of the tubes, then swings on'the hinge formed by the Vplates 26 and 31 to position shown in Fig. 1, where the telescoping arm rests above the table. x

To cushion the inovment of the arm on the hinge last mentioned, I provide the yfollowing means: 1

Secured to the plate 26 on the side vthereof adjacent to the table, when saidplate` is'in the position shownin 1, is' a' bar 69 which` is substantially horizontal when said plate is insaid position. At the ends of the.

bar 69 are portions 70, bent from the bar 69 to position above and nearl the transverse center of said-bar, and extending upwardly from the adjacent ends of said portion70 are spring arms 7 'l spaced from each other ends. j

The device just described is shown Vin another position in Fig. 3.

70 vare large enough to allow saidmembers vsome play with relationto the bar 69. The

device just described is of resilient-material. Extending downwardly from the member 32, where'. said meinberjoins the plate 31 is other at their upper K a `lug' or an ear 74, so `positioned that when the arms 25 are swung upwardly to` their ,position shown in Fig. 5, and the telescoping j racksupporting arm is then swung down `wardly over the table to the position shown u in Fig.`1, the lug or ear 74 will move to kposition between the members 71. The members 71 are close enough together, `and the lug or ear 74 is so thick that it yieldingly yforces the members 71 apart in orderv to permit the rack supporting armto move to its horizontal position overK the table.

The portions will also spring with Arelation to the plate 69 so as to further cushion the parts as the rack supporting arm.

movesl to its horizontal position above the table. .f

The cushioning device just described, also serves to hold the rack holding arm against swinging sidewise when it is above the table. i.y

vSuitably mounted, preferably near the plate 26 between the pintle 29 and the shaft 13, is va pintle 7 5. Pi'votally mounted on the pintle 75 are spaced arms 76, which,

when the parts are in the position shown-:LV

in Fig. 1, extend upwardly on opposite sides of the tube 34 and toward the Outer end thereof, asshown in Fig. 1. f .Above the tube 34, the arms 76 converge toward each other and are formed on or 4connected with a plate 77, having near its free end spaced elongated slotsf78.` f

- Extendedl throughthe slots 78 are screws 79 which are screwed into an extension 80 on a plate 81. f Theplate 81 has a pair ofz extends upwardly and is pivoted at its upper end to the plate 77. y l

When the rack holding arm is in its extended position froin'the table as shown in y Fig. 1, the device comprisedy of the plate 61 andthe arms 82 and 83 which is a rack holding device extends'to position shown in said figure.y l

When the device is movedtowai'd its collapsed and inoperativeposition, the rack is first collapsed andthe tubes 34, 42, 47 and 52 are telescopically collapsed, yand the tele# z.

scoping arm is then swung upwardly away from the tableV on its hinged pintle 2).

On account of the fact that lthe hinged point-s of the arms 7 6 are between the pintle 29 and the shaft 13, it will be seen that as.

the rack holding arm is swungupwardly. and away from the table the arms 82 and will move toward the collapsed rack or triangle, 4so that the arm 83 willl overlap :the

` plate 85.

side 55 of the triangle, as shown in Figg, and thereafter during the further movement of the parts' to inoperative position will prevent any opening movement of the triangle.

The arms 82.at the same time overlap the triangle side 56, as shown in Fig.

I have provided further means for holding the triangle after it has been collapsed in 'proper position to be engaged by the arms82 4and 83 during the movement from its-position above the table to its position shown in Fig. 5, which I will nowdescribe.

The device, now being described, comprises a rectangular frame S-L'f, which when the .parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, extend from the member 32substantially a horizontal position below and spaced from the tube 42.

Pivoted to the end of tl e frame Sel farthest from the member 32 is a plate S5 which rests above the frame S4: and has at its side edges downwardly extending flanges S5 overlapping the side edges of the frame 84.

Fixed to the forward portion of the frame 84. are springs 87, which, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, extend upwardly and tend to yieldingly hold the plate 85'spaced above and away from the frame Sil.

Then the triangle is collapsed and the tubes forming the triangle holding arm are moved telescopically together, the collapsing triangle will slide upon the plate 85 and the plate S5 acting under the influence of the spring 8? will yieldingly tend to press the triangle toward the triangle holding device having thel arms 82 and S8.

After the triangle holding arm swung upwardly to position, shown in Fig. 5, the triangle will be constantly engaged by the The plate and the frame on which it is supported perform an additional function.

hen the device is moved from its eX- tended toward its collapsed and inoperative position, the user will grasp and collapse the triangle and push it toward the tube 34C until ,the triangle engages the plate 85. One then ordinarily grasps the frame Sel, and the triangle is thereby saved from the strain of serving as a handle whereby the device may be saved.

For preventing movement of the rack carrying arm with relation to the arms 25 and plate 26, during the-first part of the movement of the device, from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fi 1, I have provided the following means:

Extending downwardly from the eXten- -sion 83, when the parts are in the position shown in F ig. 1, is an ear 88, having extending through it an opening 89.

Mounted or formed lon the plate 26 is a socket or the like 90v havingl opposite slots shaft 13, and then extended into the socket 90. The length of theflocking pin 92 is such that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, or in their position shown inFig. 5, the end of the pin does not reach to the slots 91, but when the parts are moved. from their position shown in Fig. 5 toward their position shown in Fig. 3. the locking pin 92 will slide farther into the socket 90 and will enter the opening 8l) in the ear 88 and rigidly lock the plate 2G and the rack carrying arm against any hinged movement with relation to each other.

It therefore follows that when the parts are in their lowered and inoperative position, the rack and the rack carrying arm will be held in their downwardly hanging position, and said rack and arm cannot bc swung outwardly where they would be in the way of playersusing the table. Thus securely locked, the triangle cannot be functioned nor manipulated, except by the proper means connected with the mechanism for compensating, recording, and registering.

I have largely described the practical operation of my `machine in connection with Vwith the rack collapsed and held against the plate S5 and engaged by the arms S2 and S3,

Iand with the locking pin received in the opening 89 in the ear 88 for locking the rack carrying arm with relation to the plate 26.

When the parts are swung to their downward position, the arm 16 is engaged by the spring catch 17, whereby the parts are locked in their inoperative position until the spring catch 17 is released by 'the action of the coin actuated mechanism or by manual operation or otherwise, whereupon the spring 14 will rotate the shaft 18 for swinging the parts upwardly `and over the table. During the lirst part of this upward movement, the rack carrying arm is held rigid with relation to the plate 26 by the locking pin, hereinbeforeV referred to, and just before the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 5, the locking -pin leaves the ear 88,

i whereuponthe ,momentum fof-the rack and its carrying arm Vwill swing the rack *over the table to position where the rack carrying arm isv substantially horizontal.

As the parts move from the position shown in Fig. 5, toward position where they arejust above the table, the arms 82 and 83 will move away from'theL triangle, and

the spring 62 will move the triangle toits expanded position.

The trianglewill be held against movement beyond properly expanded position by means 'of the limiting device 63. f

When the triangle yis released bythe holding device,'the springs in the tubes of the triangle carrying arm will shovethe tubes outwardly for expanding *saidr arm and thereby moving the triangle'to proper posi-Y nisin is actuated, the triangle will auto-` matically move to proper position above the table. y l

The importance of a mechanism of this kind may be more clearly emphasized when it is stated that the device is intended to bek used with a coin or otherwise actuated mechanism, so arranged that the triangle cannot be used for racking the balls for starting a new game until the proper means are employed for causing the spring catch 17 to be released, and a record Voi the opera-l tion is obtained by means oi the recording device.

The advantages of such a mechanism are obvious and are to some extent set forth in my prior patent, hereinbefore identified.

I realize that numerous changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the parts of my improved device without departing from its essential features and purposes, and it is my intention to cover by my present application, and the patent to be issued thereon, vany modifications of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within the scope of my claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a device of the class signed for use with a checking and recording mechanism, a support designed to be hingedly mounted on a table, a game element holding arm pivoted with relation to said support, a game element on said arm, the parts being arranged to swing from position with the game element hanging described, ae-

downwardly at the side 'or end ot' thetabley to position above the table,and"means for -locking said arm rigidly lwith relation to said support during part of the swinging movement of the device toward or from 'its i inoperative"positionat the side or end "of the table.'A A Y f 2. In a device of the class described, `designed for use 'with .a `gaine checking and recording mechanism, Aarotatably lmounted shaft, a support "Xed thereto, a game eleceiving member, having an opening, and a locking bar pivotally supported and adapted to enter said receiving member and the opening in said last describedmeniber, for locking said arm against hinged movement with relation to said support, during parti Aof the swinging 'movement of said support `and arm, Vwhen said shaft is rotated.

V3. InA a device of the class described,` a support designed to be hingedly' mounted on a table, a telescoping arm hingedly mounted on said support, a game element carried byi said arm, and yielding means for holding said arm-in its extended position.

` ment carrying arm hinged to said support,"` a'receiving member on said support, a mem-y ber on said-arm adapted to enter said'reet. In a device of the class described, a

support kdesigned to be hingedly inounted'on a table or the like, a gaine-element-carrying collapsible arm hingedly mounted` on said support, a collapsible game element mounted on said arm, means tending to yieldingly hold said arm in its extended position, means for engaging and holding said game element when said device is moved to one position of its movement, whereby the arm is held in its collapsed position.

5. In a device of the class described, a pivotally mounted collapsible arm, a collapsible game element supported on said arm, a movable engaging member adapted when said gaine element and arm are collapsed and are moved to a certain position of the pivotal movement of said arm to engage saidgaine element for holding the gaine element and arm in their collapsed positions during the further movement of said arm on its pivot.

6. In a device of the class described, a rotatably mounted i shaft, a support xed thereon, a game element carrying arm hinged to said support, a collapsible gaine element on said arm, a member lcarried by said support and pivoted thereto at a point spaced from the hinged line of said arm, means for operatively connecting` said meinber with said arm, whereby when said game element is collapsed and said arm is swung on its hinge to a certain position, said member will engage and hold said gaine element.

l7. In a device of the class described, a shaft mounted for limited rotation, a support secured thereto, a. game elementcarrymg armhinged to said support, coacting `de- Vices for yieldingly limiting the hinged movement of said arm and said support in one direction.

8. In a device of the class described, a shaft designed to be mounted on the side or end of a table for rotation, a support on said shaft,mea11s for limiting the rotation of said shaft when said support approaches the side or end of said table, above the shaft, an arm hinged to said support, and coacting, cush-` ioning and limiting devices for limiting the` swinging movement of the arm With relation .to the support, whereby When said support reaches its last above described position, said arm is permitted to move to position above the table.

9. In a device of the class described, a pivotally mounted support, an arm hinged thereto between its ends, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said support, and a flexible device secured to said arm near one end thereoadapted to limit the pivotal movement of said arm. with relationto said support.

l0. In a device of lthe class described, a triangle-carrying, collapsible arm, a o0llapsible triangle mounted thereon, a. yieldingly mounted plate carried by one portion of said arm, said plate being adapted to engage said triangle when the triangle and the arm are collapsed. y Y

ll. In a device of the class described, a triangle carrying collapsible arm, a, collapsible triangle mounted thereon, a yieldably mounted plate carried by one portion of said arm, said plate being adapted to engage `said triangle when the triangle and thearm are collapsed, a pivotally mounted support, said arm being hinged on said support, and means for engaging said triangle When the triangle and arm are collapsed and are moved to` a certain position with relation to said support. i

DesMoines, Iowa, October l2, 1916.

Copies of this` patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner `of Patents,

' Washington, D. t3.` v 

